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Health
research and other purposes, and prohibits commercial dealings in embryos or gametes and the use of donated gametes in surrogacy arrangements. With reference to international practice and in consultation with the reproductive technology profession, social workers, the legal profession, academia and ethical groups, the council has established a code of practice setting out the requirements, standards and good practices for embryo researchers and reproductive technology practitioners.
Port Health
To prevent and control cross-boundary spread of infectious and other serious diseases into and out of Hong Kong, the DH's Port Health Office enforces quarantine measures according to the International Health Regulations and the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance. Travellers arriving in Hong Kong at boundary control points are required to undergo temperature screening as a precautionary measure.
The Port Health Office also provides Hong Kong residents with disease preventive services including medical consultation, vaccination, prophylactic medication and advice on travel- related risks before they travel. The office has a close working relationship with the travel industry. Travel health information is available via the website at www.travelhealth.gov.hk.
Radiation Health
The Radiation Board, set up under the Radiation Ordinance, controls the import, export, possession and use of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. As the executive arm of the Radiation Board, the DH's Radiation Health Unit safeguards the public against ionising radiation by means of licensing controls and inspection of premises where radioactive substances or irradiating apparatus are present or in use. It also provides health checks and radiation monitoring for radiological practitioners, maintains the radiation dosimetry metrology standards for environmental and occupational protection level radiation dosimetry measurements, and provides the related standard calibration services. The unit advises the Government on the health effects of radiation fields and protection of public health with regard to nuclear incidents and management of radioactive materials and wastes.
In 2012, the unit assessed and issued 13,437 and 3,893 licences/permits under the Radiation Ordinance and the Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) Regulations respectively and monitored 11,117 occupationally exposed persons. The average radiation exposure of occupationally exposed persons was 0.11 mSv against an annual statutory limit of 20 mSv.
Medical Device Control
The DH's voluntary Medical Device Administrative Control System was established in 2004 to raise public awareness of the importance of medical device safety and pave the way to statutory control in the long term. Under this administrative control system, medical devices are classified by the DH into four classes based on their risk levels. Products that conform to requirements on safety and are effective as declared can be listed. The manufacturers and traders must comply with the relevant listing requirements and management measures, and report adverse incidents. The DH maintains lists of high-risk and medium-risk devices, and high- risk in-vitro diagnostic medical devices. In 2012, the DH approved 435 applications for listing medical devices, and processed 1,498 safety alerts and 18 adverse incident reports.
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